Life in Fukuoka "English"

【Getting Through December】

In Japan, the months of the year have two names. One is the number of the month, the way we normally refer to the month. December is juu-ni gatsu, juu-ni meaning 12. However the other name for December is "shiwasu. The Chinese characters for the name are teacher or master and run, and so, the popular theory is that this name originates from "the busy month when master monks run around from east to west to give sutra chantings.
In the old days, the 13th of December was considered the "start of the New Year," and people would do susuharai, which was cleaning the house of dirt that had accumulated over the year as well as prepare pine trees for kadomatsu or the pine tree decorations you see at people's gates and entrances during the new year. All of this is now just called O-Soji or the Big Clean Up.

From the 22^nd, the winter solstice which is called Toji in Japanese and the shortest day of the year, the days start to get really cold.  Yuzu comes into season at this time and there's a tradition of taking a bath with this citrus fruit floating in it. It is supposed to keep you healthy throughout the winter and help to prevent you from catching a cold. 

2022 will be at an end soon, despite just being at the start of December. How should we get everything done so that we can greet the new year relaxed and in good health?
Well, plan ahead and imagine the order in which you want to get everything done. It's also a good idea to make a shopping list and a to-do list with dates on the calendar marked to motivate you to get things done. If you've got a lot on your plate to finish up before the end of 2022, it'll be important to stay organized. In saying that, make sure you enjoy the holiday season as well, don't get caught up work too much!

【Info from Fukuoka City】

World Aids Day

Now I have a few announcements from Fukuoka City.

First is about World Aids Day on December 1st. Every year around the 1st of December, around the world, various events and activities take place, to deepen awareness and understanding of AIDS.

Even after being infected by HIV, definitive symptoms may not appear for a period of time and so it is believed that there are a number of people who have been infected but will not be diagnosed until the onset of AIDS. By detecting HIV infection early and receiving the appropriate health care and treatment, the onset of AIDS can be delayed.

At the health and welfare centers of each ward, HIV screening is offered. This screening is free of charge and anonymous. So, if you think you may be at risk, get checked as soon as possible. Screening is only on certain days so make sure you check which days before you go.

And, I don't know if you know this but the red ribbon is a symbol that shows awareness and solidarity with those affected by AIDS. The red ribbon announces to others that you have no prejudice against people affected by AIDS and gives that message that we will not discriminate against those living with AIDS. The red ribbon days are from the 1^st to 7^th of December and over this period, the Hakata Port Tower and the Fukuoka Red Brick Culture Museum will be lit up in red in support. So for World AIDS Day, let's all take the time to learn the correct information about AIDS and how to prevent it.

Illegal dumping of garbage or Fly-tipping

I hope this doesn't really need to be said, but dumping oversized garbage and household waste in the mountains, forests, by the seaside, by rivers, on the road, or in parks is illegal.

In Fukuoka City, at the end of the year, many people do a big house clean and a lot of garbage is produced. As such, December has been designated as “Illegal Dumping Prevention Reinforcement Month”. Activities will be undertaken to strengthen measures to prevent the illegal dumping of waste.

Fukuoka City has, in cooperation with the police, installed surveillance cameras and warning signs in places where illegal dumping is common and will carry out patrols of those areas. Home appliances like TV's, refrigerators and freezers, washing machines and dryers, air conditioners and the like, are all subject to the Home Appliance Recycling Law and there is a set way to dispose of them. If you are buying replacement appliances, the shop will pick up your old appliance. In Fukuoka City, you can speak with Yamada Denki for help with this.

When disposing of these items, recycling fees or collection and transportation fees are necessary.

Traders who advertise “Free pick-up for items you don't need” through flyers and the internet, are illegal collectors who have not received permission from Fukuoka City. Please do not use these unauthorized collectors as problems such as illegal dumping, high fees and improper processing of waste may occur.

【DJ Recommended～Christmas events and lightups～】

In Japan, as you may have noticed, the moment Halloween is over, Christmas starts taking over. Personally, I don't think it should start until late November, but there really aren't any big holidays in November in Japan to stop the Christmas creep. In the US, we've got Thanksgiving to look forward to before Christmas. Of course, even in the US, the Christmas stuff starts early though.

I do like Christmas however and really look forward to it. I usually hold a Christmas dinner and gift exchange at my house for my friends, something I'll probably do again this year. We like to do it pot luck style, so everyone brings a dish to share, and I usually make a main dish. In the past I've done roast chicken, roast pork, beef wellington, ham...I haven't decided on the dish this year though. Any recommendations? I've still got plenty of time to plan my menu.

Christmas Illuminations

Of course, with Christmas here, you've also got loads of lights up around the city, from Tenjin to Hakata, on shops and in the parks, a big old Christmas tree and all the decorations up, making for a pretty beautiful sight.

This year, I'm planning to go to the illuminations at the Across Building. It's a new set up, it seems, and I'm looking forward to seeing it.

Speaking of all these illuminations and everything else Christmas, we've also got the Fukuoka Christmas Market, something that you don't want to miss.

Christmas Market

The Fukuoka Christmas Market is held every year from November to December, up until Christmas day, in the Hakata and Tenjin areas. It's Fukuoka's winter story, you could say. In Japan, it is the biggest Christmas market and at each of the venues there are a whole load of shops, Christmas lights and decorations. With hot wine, hot chocolate, delicious food and everything else, it's a cozy, fun event to be at.

This year's theme is Light and Hope. The market venues are located at the Hakata Station plaza and in Tenjin at the City Hall's Fureai Hiroba and the Passage at Daimaru. There are different things to see and buy at each venue and the mugs made for the event every year are one of the most popular souvenirs to get. I like to go for the atmosphere, at the Hakata venue, there is often live music, which is always enjoyable.

Also, in the Nakasu area and at Tenjin Chuo Park, from 5pm to midnight, you'll see a variety of illuminations set up, Fukuoka's newest illumination spot. We've got about one month left until Christmas, so get out and enjoy these wonderful events. Make great memories and enjoy Fukuoka's Christmas to the fullest.

【Seasonal Vegetables-Hakusai or Chinese Cabbage】

As it gets colder, nabe is something that you start to want to eat. If you're new to Japan, nabe is a kind of hot-pot with loads of veggies, meat and whatever else you want to put in. And Hakusai or Chinese Cabbage is one of those things that you definitely want to add to that hot-pot. It comes into season around October or November, which means it is in season now and its peak is over the winter. You'll see it everywhere in supermarkets and greengrocers around town.

Hakusai in this season is tender and flavorful. And while it's great in hot-pots and in other simmered dishes, it can also been eaten raw in salads.

So, what kind of nutrients does it have? Well, it has a lot of potassium which is good for removing salt from the body, great for helping to prevent high blood pressure.

It also contains vitamin C, making it a good food for preventing colds.

And the great thing about hot-pots is that you can eat them with friends and family, or even by yourself. It's an inexpensive way of getting your vegetables in and enjoying a nice hot meal on a chilly day. If getting vegetables and doing all the prep, like peeling and cutting is just too much of a pain, there are actually convenient one-pot packs at the supermarket with everything pre-cut that just need to be heated up.
I like a simple hot-pot soup base with plenty of ponzu and sesame sauces on the side for dipping. What kind of hot-pot will you make this winter?

【Fukuoka City Information】

Legal Consulatations

Now, I have some information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation about legal consultations. The Fukuoka City International Foundation, at the Fukuoka City International Center, offers free legal consultation twice a month for the international residents of Fukuoka City.

Legal consultations are available from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM on the first Saturday of every month, and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the third Wednesday of the month. Each session runs for 45 minutes and is completely free. However, you do need to make a reservation to consult with the lawyer. Free English interpretation services are also available so if you will need an interpreter, please mention that when you make your reservation.

Consultations on Immigration, Residency and Nationality Matters.

Now, I have some other information from the Fukuoka City International Foundation about consultations on immigration, residency and nationality matters.

Is there anything you don't understand about residency status and term of stay regulations? If there is, the Fukuoka City International Foundation provides free consultation on these matters to the international residents of Fukuoka City.

Consultations are held every second Sunday of the month. They are offered from 1:00 to 4:00 PM, but you must register by 3:30 PM. A gyousei-shoshi, or administrative lawyer will answer your questions and offer consultation.

There are English and Chinese interpreters present, and so, consultation in English, Chinese and Japanese does not require a reservation. For other languages, please consult with the foundation at least one week in advance.

Your confidentiality is guaranteed, so please feel at ease to use this services.

For more information, please call the toll free number 0120-66-1799. Again that number is 0120-66-1799. Phone calls will be accepted between 9am and 6pm on weekdays.

【Beaujolais Nouveau 2022】

The middle of November is the season in which the french wine, Beaujolais Nouveau makes its appearance. It is a wine made from the "gamay" grape harvested that year in the Beaujolais region of Burgundy in southern France. You might wonder what a French wine has to do with Fukuoka or even Japan. Well, Japan is actually the number one export market for Beaujolais. It seems Japan really loves this wine.

Beaujolais Nouveau is said to have originated as a festival held to celebrate the autumn harvest in the region. There is a bit of ceremony around this wine as the opening of Beaujolais Nouveau is set for midnight on the third Thursday of November each year.

This year, 2022, it will be November 17 (Thursday). In Japan, due to the date line, it is possible to enjoy it approximately eight hours earlier than in France, where it is originally produced.

Beaujolais Nouveau goes well not only with cheese, a classic wine snack, and pasta with tomato sauce, but also with typical Japanese foods like niku-jaga, yakitori and other sweet and spicy flavors.

Why not pick up a bottle and enjoy this once-a-year event celebrating the harvest with the flavors of autumn?

【Fukuoka City Information】

Fukuoka Prize (Art and Culture Prize) Awardee Shahzia Sikander

Fukuoka City honors those who have contributed to academic research, art, and culture in Asia by presenting the "Fukuoka Prize. This year's recipient of the 32nd Art and Culture Prize is Pakistani artist Shahzia SIKANDER, who is internationally active and highly acclaimed.

To commemorate the award, an exhibition of Ms. Sikander's work will be held in the galleries of the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum and the Artist Café located in the former Maizuru Junior High School.

Ms. Sikander's works are all spectacular, combining the traditional world of miniature painting with the latest digital technology.

The works will be on display until November 27 (Sun.) and can be viewed free of charge. So, definitely take this chance to go and see them.

For details of the exhibited works, please search for "Fukuoka Prize" and visit the News & Topics page on the official website of the Fukuoka Prize.　

https://fukuoka-prize.org/en/

Mongolian National Symphony Orchestra Matouquin Performance at Hakata Za Theater- The Winds of Mongolia 2022

Also got some information about a performance from the Mongolian National Symphony Orchestra. 　

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Mongolia and Japan, the Mongolian National Symphony Orchestra will perform "Winds of Mongolia 2022" at Hakataza Theater on December 13.

This performance will be a fusion of music and stage effects using video images and a ger, or yurt, a traditional nomadic mobile dwelling, to allow the audience to experience the world of Mongolia. This is a performance using the Matouqin or Morin Khuur, a traditional Mongolian bowed string instrument, which will allow the audience to experience the world of Mongolia.

This a wonderful opportunity to see an amazing performance. Tickets for the performance need to be purchased in advance and are on sale now. For more information, please check the Hakata-za theater website or call the Hakata-za theater reservations center at 092-263-5555. Again, that number is 092-263-5555.

https://www.hakataza.co.jp/lineup/202212/mongoru/index.php